Difference Between BB Cream and Tinted Moisturizer
When you’re looking for an alternative to foundation, BB creams and tinted moisturizers are the most common options that cross your mind. Although they sound like they have a similar consistency, in reality, there is a vast difference between BB cream and tinted moisturizer.
Let’s get to know about them.
BB Cream vs. Tinted Moisturizer: An Overview
BB creams and tinted moisturizers fulfill the same objective of setting down a base but they differ in many ways. The principal point of comparison between a BB cream and a tinted moisturizer is the amount of coverage they provide along with the formula.
While BB creams provide more coverage and have a versatile use, tinted moisturizers are equipped with minimal coverage and do not have so much versatility.
What Is a BB cream?
BB creams refer to “beauty balms” or “blemish balms”. Originating from Korean beauty, BB creams have now dominated the Western industry as well. Due to their multi-purpose use and versatility, they are termed as ‘all-rounder’ products.
The reason why they are so versatile is that they offer a ton of properties apart from their use as a base product for the face. They come with added SPF protection, anti-aging benefits, priming function, and moisturizing properties.
So, if you’re someone who doesn’t want to use too many products but still get the benefit of sunscreen, primer, and a lightweight foundation in one product, a BB cream is the ultimate option.
They act as lightweight and medium coverage foundations, so you can use them when you’re in a rush. Moreover, they take no time to blend, and even if you don’t have brushes or sponges at the last minute, your fingers are perfect for working with them.
With a BB cream, you’re getting the benefits of smoothening out your skin tone, hiding minimal imperfections, and getting decent coverage and sun protection on the side. They also have an impressive shade range, which makes them easily accessible to many users.
What Is a Tinted Moisturizer?
Tinted moisturizer is basically what its name suggests- a moisturizer with a tint. While BB creams are open to almost everyone, tinted moisturizers are beneficial for selective users. Since they have barely any coverage, they cannot work as a multi-purpose product for everyone.
These products have the properties of a normal moisturizer with a hint of tint- the tint varies from brand to brand. Most brands come with tinted moisturizers for at least one shade for a specific skin tone. Other brands barely have any shades and go with a universal tint.
This can be an issue for people who have very fair or very dark skin tones and even those who fall somewhere in the middle. Due to this shade range incompatibility, they are not suitable for everyone.
Tinted moisturizers comprise moisturizing properties along with a few skincare ingredients. They don’t have added SPF protection or any priming function.
The coverage in tinted moisturizers is close to nothing, but the tint helps to even out the overall skin tone. People with dry skin like to use tinted moisturizers underneath a BB cream for better moisturizing properties.
Major Differences
- BB creams are lightweight and low to medium coverage versions of foundations with maximum skincare benefits.
- Tinted moisturizers are moisturizers formulated with a tint to even out the skin tone.
- BB creams are perfect for conducting a full base with their skincare properties, primer properties, sunscreen benefits, some concealing, and decent coverage.
- Tinted moisturizers are suitable for hydrating the skin, giving a dewy look, crossing out hyperpigmentation, and providing sheer coverage for skin tone with few imperfections.
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Difference Between BB Creams and Tinted Moisturizers: A Table
| Parameters of Comparison | BB Cream | Tinted Moisturizer |
| 1. Definition | BB creams are “blemish balms” or “beauty balms” that provide a low to medium base coverage. | Tinted moisturizers are moisturizing natural makeup with a color or tint in them. |
| 2. Consistency | BB creams have a lightweight consistency compared to heavy foundations and blend easily with brushes, sponges, or even fingers. | Tinted moisturizers have a thin consistency similar to regular moisturizers and blend with fingers. |
| 3. Coverage | BB creams provide light to medium coverage depending on the brand. | Tinted moisturizers provide very low and sheer coverage. |
| 4. Sun Protection Factor | BB creams come with a moderate sun protection factor of at least SPF 15 or 20. | Tinted moisturizers lack sun protection factor. |
| 5. Priming Function | BB creams have priming properties, so they work on smoothening the skin and minimizing the pores. | Tinted moisturizers lack priming properties, so there is no pore-minimizing feature noticed in them. |
| 6. Shade Range | BB creams have an impressive shade range. | Tinted moisturizers come with a few shades and sometimes a universal shade only. |
Key Takeaways
- BB creams and tinted moisturizers are both base products for the base formulated with skincare properties.
- Both products deal with evening out the skin tone.
- BB creams comprise anti-aging properties, priming function and provide a medium coverage for the base.
- Tinted moisturizers are only formulated with few skincare ingredients and work typically like a moisturizer with a slight tint.
Conclusion
To conclude the difference between bb cream and tinted moisturizer guide, it can be said that both BB creams and tinted moisturizers are quite amazing products since they both work to give a natural base.
However, BB creams are more multi-functional and work with a lot of different skin types and skin tones, whereas tinted moisturizers only provide sheer skin enhancing properties and hydration.
